title: Morphogenesis of peri-implant mucosa revisited: an experimental study in humans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To apply a novel human model to evaluate the morphogenesis of the mucosal attachment to implants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty one patients receiving implant-supported single-tooth replacement were enrolled in this study. After implant installation, a custom-designed experimental abutment was connected to the implant. Soft tissue biopsies representing 2, 4, 8 or 12 weeks of healing were collected by the use of a circular cutting device and prepared for histological analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The soft tissue biopsies were retrieved, preserved and processed with a technique that was safe and reproducible. The results from the histological analysis in regards to dimensional and qualitative changes in the mucosa over time were consistent with those reported from animal experiments. At 8 weeks, the soft tissue dimension was about 3.6 mm and included a barrier epithelium of 1.9 mm and a connective tissue portion of 1.7 mm. Similar dimensions were found at 12 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is suggested that the new human model provides advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness in research as well as from ethical aspects and should be considered as an alternative to pre-clinical in vivo studies in animals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Cristiano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tomasi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tessarolo
authors.forename: Iole
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Caola
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wennström
authors.forename: Giandomenico
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nollo
authors.forename: Tord
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Berglundh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D004846:Epithelial Attachment / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: biologic width; dental implants; histology; human; morphometry; soft tissue; titanium